Petunia plant named &#39;Kakegawa S60&#39;

ABSTRACT

A Petunia cultivar particularly distinguished by its white flower color and creeping, mounding habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPetunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrida, and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘Kakegawa S60’. ‘Kakegawa S60’ originated from ahybridization made in 1997 in Kakegawa, Japan. The female parentoriginated from a cross made in 1994 between an F₄ multiflora selectionfrom the variety ‘Dream White’ and a dwarf multiflora pink breedingline. From several F₁ plants produced, three were selected forintercrossing. In 1995 the mass produced F₂ seed was sown and severaldwarf multiflora white lines were selected for intercrossing to produceF₃ seed. Selection and intercrossing continued until the F₅ generationwas produced, which was designated line 4-96b-1a-1 (not patented). Themale parent originated from a cross made in 1994 between a dwarfmultiflora white breeding line and a white flowered, creeping habitbreeding line named 4UK-1 (not patented). Three F₁ plants were selectedand intercrossed to produce F₃ seed. Selection and intercrossingcontinued until the F₅ generation was produced, which was designatedline 4-197G-1a-14 (not patented)

[0002] Two hundred F₁ plants were transplanted to the field in Salinas,Calif. during the summer of 1998. Five lines were selected for furtherevaluation and vegetatively propagated. The five lines were propagatedagain in 1999 and evaluated for fixed characteristics and ease ofpropagation. Final selection of one line was made in Salinas, Calif.during the summer of 1999. The line was established as ‘Kakegawa S60’,and determined to have its characteristics firmly fixed.

[0003] ‘Kakegawa S60’ has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics after two years and four cycles of vegetativepropagation and this novelty is firmly fixed. The variety hasdemonstrated stability during this time and has no inherent variation oroff-types.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

[0004] This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotograph which shows blooms, and foliage of the plant in full color,the colors shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

[0005]FIG. 1 shows the mature inflorescence;

[0006]FIG. 2 shows the entire plant approximately eight weeks aftertransplanting a rooted cutting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

[0007] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Kakegawa S60’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inSalinas, Calif. Three plants from fully rooted 15 cm diameter pots weretransplanted to one 50 cm diameter hanging baskets and grown in the sameconditions. Data was collected on plants in 50 cm diameter pots eightweeks after rooted cuttings were transplanted. Color references areprimarily to the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society ofLondon (RHS).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

[0008] Classification:

[0009]Botanical.—Petunia hybrida.

[0010]Commercial.—Petunia.

[0011] Parentage:

[0012]Female parent.—breeding line 4-96b-1a-1 (not patented).

[0013]Male parent.—breeding line 4-197G-1a-14 (not patented).

[0014] Environmental Conditions for Plant Growth: Plants were propagatedfrom vegetative cuttings, and grown individually in 15 cm diameterplastic pots in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Potscontained a peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizercontaining 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium was applied infour, daily irrigations. The fifth irrigation was made withnon-fertilized water. Pots were top-dressed with a slow releasefertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium. Thetypical average air temperature was 24C.

[0015] Growth:

[0016]Habit.—branching, creeping.

[0017]Form.—descending.

[0018]Plant size.—91 cm total diameter and 76 cm total height when threeplants are grown in a 50 cm diameter hanging basket for 7-8 weeks.

[0019]Flowering habit.—indeterminate.

[0020]Time to bloom from propagation.—4-6 weeks after rooting when grownin 10-15 cm diameter plastic pots.

[0021]Life cycle.—annual.

[0022] Stems:

[0023]Color.—yellow-green (RHS 145A).

[0024]Description.—round.

[0025]Diameter.—0.2 to 0.3 mm.

[0026]Internode length.—4.0 cm.

[0027] Leaves:

[0028]Arrangement.—opposite.

[0029]Apex.—mucronate.

[0030]Base.—oblique.

[0031]Color.—upper surface is green (RHS 139A) and lower surface isgreen (RHS 138C).

[0032]Margin.—entire.

[0033]Size.—length is 6.0-6.5 cm and width is 4.0-4.2 cm.

[0034]Shape.—ovate.

[0035]Texture.—coarse.

[0036]Venation.—pinnate.

[0037]Pubescence.—present, clear.

[0038] Flowers:

[0039]Calyx.—5 sepals; 2.0 cm×0.4 cm (length×width).

[0040]Corolla.—5 petals, fused.

[0041]Flower diameter.—6.0-7.5 cm.

[0042]Fragrant.—yes.

[0043]Inflorescence type.—solitary.

[0044]Pistil.—compound.

[0045]Ovary.—superior, parietal placentation.

[0046]Stamens.—5 total with two long and three short.

[0047]Peduncle.—4.0-5.0 cm×0.1 mm (length×width); pubescent.

[0048]Petal color.—Limbs: upper—white (RHS 155B); lower—white (RHS155B). Tube—Inner—yellow-green (RHS N144D) with purple (RHS 79B) veins;Outside is yellow-green (RHS 144D) with yellow-green (RHS 144B) veins.

[0049]Petal pubescence.—absent.

[0050]Tube throat diameter.—0.7 mm.

[0051]Pollen color.—Yellow (RHS 8C).

[0052]Produces seed.—Yes.

[0053] Disease and Insect Resistance No susceptibility to diseases orinsects noted to date.

[0054] Comparison with Known Cultivars ‘Kakegawa S60’ is most similar tothe variety ‘Cascadia Choice’ but differs in the following areas:‘Kakegawa S60’ flowers are larger in diameter when fully expanded than‘Cascadia Choice’. The width of the corolla tube at the throat isnarrower for ‘Kakegawa S60’ than for ‘Cascadia Choice’. ‘CascadiaChoice’ has a purple or reddish ring at the corolla throat where‘Kakegawa S60’ simply transitions from white petals to a greenish yellowtube.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia as shown anddescribed herein.